League final spot not the priority but still beneficial to make it - Eoghan Bán

Eoghan Bán Gallagher says that while an NFL final spot isn’t an absolute priority, a runout at Croke Park in the Division 1 showpiece would definitely be a real plus for Donegal. 

The Killybegs man was in excellent form once more as his side salvaged a late draw with Galway in Ballyshannon on Sunday. 

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Jim McGuinness’ side are now within touching distance of a place in the NFL showpiece. 

With a month’s respite between that and Donegal’s Ulster SFC opener with Down on April 26,  Gallagher says competitive action in a game that would also have nice heat attached to it would be a perfect way to help bridge that same four-week gap.  

“We’re happy,” Gallagher explained as Donegal moved onto nine points from five outings. “At the end of the day, it’s only the league. It’s still all geared towards championship. 

“We have the four wins and the draw so far, there also was a good McKenna Cup campaign so it’s on a good trajectory. 

“We’re moving well. If we make that league final we’ll be delighted. 

“It’s not a priority, of course, but it would be nice to make it. Any chance to experience a big day in  Croke Park would be great. It’s competitive action with something on the line. 

“And the extra game, it would set things up nicely before championship. So hopefully we can push on now and make the final”. 

Donegal played almost 40 minutes at Fr Tierney Park with 14 men, but they came from six down in the second half and Peadar Mogan's two-pointer with less than two minutes to go levelled the game.

The hosts played from the 32nd minute to the end shy the full quota, other than a sixty-second spell as Michael Langan came back from a black card, but Stephen McMenamin picked up a second yellow when Donegal were six down.

Given the hole Donegal dug themselves into, Gallagher was pleased they managed to find their way out through that late Mogan ping from outside the arc. 

“Bit of a whirlwind game,” was how he summed it up. “We were against the breeze in the first-half. I thought the game should have been closer going in at the break. 

“We fought really hard. We played 40 minutes, I think, down to 14 men with the black card and then the sending off. 

“In the end, we’re quite happy to have managed to come away with a point”. 

He added: “It was a very enjoyable game to play in. Considering the elements, both teams tried to go at it. The likes of Murphy, Roarty and Mogan when they came in, they really added to it”.